A toast to a famous Ukraine Eurovision win – with vodka of course May 20, 2022 Ukraine’s triumph at last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest came as a surprise to no-one. The competition’s traditional regional, ethnic, and political voting blocs were abandoned, as voters from across the continent delivered their overwhelming support to the embattled people of Ukraine, and while the folk-rap number Stefania, by Kalush Orchestra, may not have won strictly [...]
Ikea was just the beginning – Sweden’s new tech is ready to invest in Britain May 17, 2022 Last week, Boris Johnson visited Stockholm and pledged a mutual security pact with his Swedish counterpart, as tensions with Russia escalated. It was a welcome reassurance of friendship in uncertain times. This is just the latest chapter in a long history of collaboration between our two nations. The Swedish-British “love-in” (a technical term often used [...]
Is the current crypto wobble being caused by Binance? May 12, 2023 Jason Deane reflects on a hectic week for Bitcoin, and an attempts to pinpoint reasons behind the current stumble in the price of Bitcoin.
Ed Warner: Sport needs a united front against Russia, not patchwork of policies March 3, 2022 On the opening day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the Polish wheelchair rugby team decided not to take to the court in their Euros group match against Russia in Paris. A classy move. If only others were so decisive. The leaders of world sport are already divided in their response to Vladimir Putin’s war. It [...]
The Notebook: Matt Scheckner talks embracing AI, Brand Britain and Gen Z May 18, 2023 The notebook is a place for interesting people to say interesting things. Today, it’s Advertising Week chairman Matt Scheckner, currently hosting Advertising Week Europe. AI will not be the death of creativity, so long as we embrace it With every turn of the page, we are reminded just how much the world has changed and [...]
Glastonbury is cancelled, so what about other cultural events? January 21, 2021 Last year was a virtual write-off for the cultural calendar, with the year’s most hotly-anticipated events being brushed aside by the ceaseless march of Covid. This year the world seems to be drawing close to a solution to the crisis – but that hasn’t com in tiume to save Glastonbury. So what of the other [...]
From James Bond to Glastonbury, we rate the chances of this year’s cultural events going ahead January 7, 2021 Last year was a virtual write-off for the cultural calendar, with the year’s most hotly-anticipated events being brushed aside by the ceaseless march of Covid. This year the world seems to be drawing close to a solution to the crisis – but will it come in time to save 2021? Marina Abramovic at the Royal [...]
The Oscars 2021: Our predictions for the big winners April 22, 2021 Hollywood’s big, back slapping Oscar party arrives on Sunday, but as with other awards ceremonies, the film industry will have to congratulate itself from a distance. It will be a different kind of awards, with a rumoured additional venue in London, but the same amount of anticipation regarding who will take home a gold statuette. [...]
Brexit ideas: Boris Johnson wants to recreate the Roman Empire to achieve UK-EU co-operation June 29, 2022 Boris Johnson wants a modern recreation of the Roman Empire as a way of achieving co-operation between Europe and its neighbours. The Prime Minister set out his vision of a partnership that included Turkey and North African states as an alternative plan to Emmanuel Macron’s idea of a European political community. Macron said the Prime [...]
Diverse Oscar noms drag 90-year-old awards into 21st century March 15, 2021 In recent years, the nominations for the Academy Awards have often drawn anger and frustration. #OscarsSoWhite became a regular trend for past ceremonies as actors of colour were ignored, while there was ongoing criticism at the absence of female behind the scenes nominees, and LGBTQ+ artists. Today, observers held their breath as this year’s nominations [...]